What does Mormon explain about his record?

Thomas R. Valletta

“When Mormon abridged these records, he noted that he could not write a ‘hundredth part’ of their proceedings (Words of Mormon 1:5). Thus, historical aspects of the book assume secondary significance … This explanation was repeated five more times (see Jacob 3:13; Helaman 3:14; 3 Nephi 5:8; 26:6; Ether 15:33.) Jacob, who received the plates from his brother Nephi, provided additional insight, noting that he ‘should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people,’ but that he was to touch upon sacred or great things ‘as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people’ (Jacob 1:2, 4)]” (Nelson, “Testimony of the Book of Mormon,” 69, note 7).

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References